FROM NAVVY TO NOVELIST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7202, 13 September 1901, Page 2

FROM NAVVY TO NOVELIST.

A HIGH CLIMB. The man of tihe Hour in Russia in undoubtedly Peskov, or " Maxim Gorki" as he is better known. Tho slow climbing of an American railsplitter to the majesty of the White House is as nothing to the rapid soaring of Gorki from the navvy's spade, porter's knot, and apple hawker's basket to the position of favourite novelist, playwright, critic, and philosopher — the hero of the Petersburg salons. It is but two or three years since ihe appeared upon the literary stage; making his entry abruptly, in moid-stained smock, into th-e office of a paper in the Caucasus, with his first story in 'his pocket. The editor read it while Gorki waited—approved and printed 1 . Fame came when Koiolenko welcomed him and published his tale of a dock-thief in "Russian Wealth." The story lacked all the essentials of great literature ; the form was vague, the motives were obscure; it was plain that theautlhor had no opinion whether tine villain was a villain or a hero. But it was full of action — of action in a sphere unknown to the reading public — the setting of the riverside was boldly und sincerely painted — a kind of Glasgow school effect in words; amd the story caughfc the general fancy. Gor'ki's romantic past helped him, and ensured his career. His complete works are in their second edition ; and he is being rapidly translated into French, German, Bohemian, and other languages. Professors lecture on him,; critics write books about him, and the Moscow Artistic Theatre is going to act 'his new play.